Decision details

To report on the findings of a review of the Sustainable City Grants and make recommendations about future budgets and arrangements.

Matter for Decision: The report set out the findings from a review of the grants, and proposed changes to the total budget available and a move to a commissioning based approach to ensure that grants are more closely aligned to the council’s environmental policy objectives.

Decision of the Executive Councillor for Finance and Resources 

The Executive Councillor resolved:

i.       To agree the proposed budget of £30,000 for the Sustainable City Grants from 2015/16 onwards and to cash limit the grants from this point forward.

ii.     To move from a grant funding approach to a commissioning approach for the Sustainable City Grants from 2015-16 onwards, as outlined at 5.9 – 5.13 of the officer’s report.

 Reasons for the Decision: As set out in the officer’s report

Any alternative options considered and rejected: As set out in the officer’s report

Scrutiny Considerations:

The committee received a report from the Strategy and Partnerships Manager.

In response to member’s questions the Strategy and Partnerships Manager said the following:

i.                    An annual commissioning round would be promoted to local voluntary and community groups in October each year. A ‘bottom up’ approach would be preferred whilst maximising value for money based on the wider strategy.

ii.                    Whilst 22 responses was quite low the City Council had promoted the consultation widely. The consultation ran for 12 weeks and was promoted via the website, Twitter and to specific voluntary groups and organisations in the City. 

The Scrutiny Committee considered the recommendations and endorsed them unanimously.

The Executive Councillor approved the recommendations.

Conflicts of Interest Declared by the Executive Councillor (and any Dispensations Granted):

Not applicable.